Bagstr

It started as a Camera discussion Thursday night. With careful maneuvering, the talk turned to a Friday Ride. Set the hook, reel him in! N2TM and me have been separated by life's events for awhile, so it was good to get back together. Not knowing where we would end, we started with a figure 8 in San Gregorio Ridge area then headed east on San Felipe W. Tarantula, Tule W. under the highway toward the Salton Bathtub. The Travertine Restaurant in Salton City served up a nice meal and Draft. Todd sends us off to the Freeman Riding Area, which we have zero idea where we are going! After much randomness in the area northeast of the microwave tower we manage to scout back to Calcite Mine Rd. and up to pavement. The Freeman / Truckhaven area is quite a maze/warren/web of trails in the fashion of a highly eroded badland. Easy to get yourself lost. The GPS does not do you much good as all the washes run downhill northwest to southeast. Once we hit the Salton Seaway, a brief discussion ensued on the topic of running late and how much more trouble could we get into with the wives if we were somewhat later. No preferring the pavement option, cross the road and south on Truckhaven Trail toward Arroyo Salado and Five Palms finally connecting to the Cut Across Trail. 97 miles back to Tamarisk Grove. Thanks to Todd for enabling the Impulse.

It's OK to go racing as long as you use the Race Truck.

Tires, I know. But hey these things sure perform on the trail. The front tracks reliably and the rear does not step out anywhere as much as a knobby. MotoMax on El Cajon Blvd. has them stocked if you are temped. About $65-$75. And no I do not profit this endorsement.

Anyone up for a ride in the Dez Friday. Borrego Badlands / North or Carrizo Badlands / South. Late offer, let me know by 8:00PM Thursday

Up on Carrizo Peak, Spaugh and me swapped bikes for a couple of miles. ( KTM 300 & 690 ) As it turns out, his comments about my bikes suspension setup proved to be quite helpful. "A little soft up front." After we arm wrestled about the affront, it started me thinking. A couple of weeks later, after reviewing my tuners ( Superplush ) setup instructions, I added two clicks compression and rebound And 10cc of 5wt fork oil. Resulting in lighter feel on the front end. Rolling through obstructions, the front wheel seems to dive less and return to upright position faster. That's my impression anyway. Just seemed to lighten up the front. So let your pal test ride your ride once in awhile for setup input. It could help. Thanks Spaugh!

Congratulations on the sale. Wish I could get away with you to Tombstone! Too much going on at the moment.

The first thing I did to the new bike was get the front and rear sag correct. This required a new, stiffer rear spring. Made all the difference. i have used scotts, gpr v1, v2, and v4 now. I am a GPR guy. They are local, the adjuster has numbers on it and its easier to use. But I will say that scott's high speed low speed valving is superior if you can get it dialed in. That is no easy task. I think GPR should do 2 different valving schemes. One for street and one for dirt. Their valving is so stiff on the v4 that you never really need to go above about 4.5. I am leaving mine at about 4 for really fast desert courses, and at 2.5ish for trail riding. Its one of those things where if I feel the steering get at all slugish it needs to be turned down right then and there. Also, regarding your front suspension. Another easy thing you can try is adding preload spacers to your forks. Adding 1/8th or 1/4" spacers, 1 at a time to help level out the bike and keep the front from diving. its cheap and fairly easy to do. Also, try not to mess with both comp and rebound clickers together. Try just adjusting the compression clickers and get them how you want them. Then adjust the rebound if it feels bouncy or bucky. Don't be afraid to change clickers by 5 or 10 clicks. You can put them back.

All you shooters are members of "A well regulated Militia" ?

Regards Steering Stabilizer: Yeah, hard to remember to turn it down when things are happening fast. I have turned it down from 4 to 3 for trail riding. But in the wash, back up to 4 or 5. GPR V4 And the 10cc was to reduce bottoming by shrinking air volume.

About the cost of A Ballpark! Also, that frame and swing arm are Art.

Lark, You can leave your 6 speed tranny at home, only need a three speed. Rode the Valley Trail north and the Ridge Trail south. Add a few inside loops, climb the rock and you are done! Carrizo Overlook Sempra Stealth Camp, AKA Rough Canyon Sacatone Overlook Dusty Acres

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Never been to McCain so today seems like a good time to avoid two - way traffic and check it out. Especially interested in desert overlooks. Will check out Sacatone and Carrizo Overlooks. I guess parking at Lark Canyon is the place?? I will take a NF Adventure Pass in case I need one. I will keep a look-out for SDAR stickers. The wife needs me Wednesday so today is the day.

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/larkcany.html Open the PDF map of the area and you are set. The place is only 4-5 miles south to north. If I go back for another pass, I will pay $6 to set-up in a campsite vs the Day Use area.

Short, Old and Slow. That about describes us. Nice to have a home for such folks.

+1

Once upon a time, there was a Plastic Welding Shop operating next to Moto Forza of Escondido.

Wanting to avoid the 0800 Pinyon Trailhead Meet-up scheduled for Rexr's ride, I opted for the Lazy Man's approach...Meet them in the middle of their ride at a Civilized hour. After stopping at Julian Coffee and Tea, Team Honda / KTM arrives at Buttes Pass at the crack of 0930, suite up for an estimated Rexr Team arrival about 10:30 or 11:00. Take a spin up Goat Trail for a nice view of Buttes Pass. Run over to the Slot and take in the Orienteers Scene. Their must have been 100 folks of all ages having a good time. Back at Slacker's Camp...Waiting. Is that them?? Here they are,,, Time to wake up from my nap Thanks Rexr for setting up the Ride

Good work gents.

Eddie, Send me a PM if you have a question about any ride. Wednesday was pretty tame, but there were sections of deep sand. No massive climbs or the like.

Rex, Do you still plan to travel through Buttes Pass and the Slot / Drop areas?? http://maps.google.c...4ee399f1c15e6f8 If so, I will be in the area ready to ride 0900-0930. Radio 146.505 0800 comes early to the Pinyon Trailhead, and I'm pretty lazy these days.

Just me and the GPS. Folks that have been able to ride mid-week are either banged up or in Alaska. The route I chose was purposely low key and walking distance to the public. Plus, I have the SPOT2.

Arriving Tamarisk Grove 0900 - Depart 0930 Plated Bikes, Tubes, Tools and Snacks. Less than 75 miles. Sandy / Rocky http://maps.google.c...97579abe87e6bce Scouting Trail between Yaqui Pass and Old Borrego Pole Line Rd. Attempt to find route south of Rams Hill Resort ( or whatever the name is now ) Not trying to break new trail, the washes run south to north, so may not be possible. Once connected to Old Borrego Rd., head north thru Air Ranch and explore ridge lines south of San Gregorio Monument. https://share.findme...BZk953t2hSX4aiA Keep an eye on me if I'm stopped too long.

"Hey Bagstr, you're a ridin' fool..." RAD